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Get RSS FeedYoung inventors appreciate chance for television time
By JAMIE ARKIN
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Thanks to a combination of creativity and inventiveness, 11 Central Ohio students will make an appearance on television this summer as finalists for the Time Warner Cable Coolest Creations Contest.
The students, grades 2-6, represented their respective schools at the Just Think Inc. Invention Convention on May 21. At the convention, several Time Warner Cable judges viewed each of the 344 inventions, and selected the finalists.
"As far as inventions go, what we really wanted to see was what was the problem that (the student) wanted to solve," said Alison Barret, Time Warner manager of community relations.
"It's really a couple of basic things, but mostly it's about creativity and thinking outside the box."
The students, grades 2-6, represented their respective schools at the Just Think Inc. Invention Convention on May 21. At the convention, several Time Warner Cable judges viewed each of the 344 inventions, and selected the finalists.
"As far as inventions go, what we really wanted to see was what was the problem that (the student) wanted to solve," said Alison Barret, Time Warner manager of community relations.
"It's really a couple of basic things, but mostly it's about creativity and thinking outside the box."
As far as creativity and thinking outside the box are concerned, the students did not disappoint. The 11 finalists' inventions were:
* Alaina Craig, Columbus: Piggy Backpack Massager;
* Bela Csetjey, Columbus: Dog Locker;
* Connor Byrant, Delaware: Watering Can Cart;
* Sriram Raju, Dublin: Protect O Tot;
* Jacob Metzger, Groveport: Jacob's Walking Table;
* Elizabeth McCanna, Newark: Turtle Exercisor;
* Emily Williams, Powell: Dryalator;
* Ruth Burgenthal, Upper Arlington: Baby Won't Throw;
* Blake Skidmore, Upper Arlington: Made in the Shade Fishing;
* Emma Davidson, Upper Arlington: No-Scare Ware; and
* Brian Courts, Westerville: Belt Socks.
According to Barret, many of the students create their inventions for selfless reasons. This plays a significant role in the selection of finalists.
"My invention helps people that have a bad back or a disability," said Connor Byant, a second-grader at Schultz Elementary School.
"It helps them move around easier."
Bryant said he had to overcome several issues while making his invention, but that he enjoyed the building process.
"I had to draw out ideas. The first time, the wheels were behind a bit, so when it tilted the front hit the ground. I fixed it and moved the wheels forward," Bryant said.
"Building was really cool because I got to use so many tools that I haven't used before."
On day of the convention, each finalist was taken to WOSU studios to film their invention. Students were asked to display their invention, and explain the process of creating it.
"You get sort of nervous at first, but halfway through the filming, you calm down and don't feel so nervous," said Brian Courts, a fourth-grader at Longfellow Elementary School.
"I tried to not look at the camera, but it's hard not to."
The students inventions went on the Time Warner Local On-Demand channel on June 15. Instead of choosing a winner, however, Time Warner has left voting up to the viewers. Each view counts as a vote for the student, and the student with the most views at the end of August will be declared winner.
According to Barret, the Coolest Creations Contest is simply the culmination of a great overall experience.
"The kids get chosen from school, and get to compete with 344 kids," Barret said.
"Of that, we chose 11, which is an honor right there. And those 11 get to appear on TV. Some are just out of their minds excited. It's a very rich experience all the way through, and I feel like the Coolest Creations component is just the icing on the cake."
The true icing on the cake might be the $500 cash prize for the winner of the contest.
For Emma Davidson, a second-grader at Tremont Elementary School, however, the excitement of the process is far more important than the prize money.
"I don't care about the prize, I care about what's important. It's that you feel glad for yourself, you're not messing around. I really feel like I've done something good," Davidson said.
Courts described the experience as "exciting," and said he has plans to donate the prize if he wins.
"I'd put some to my school and some to the Humane Society," Courts said.
"I'd keep about $40, and give the rest to my parents. I care about animals and my school, I want to support them."
Voting for the contest continues until Aug. 31 on Time Warner channel 411. For Davidson, however, the thrill of inventing doesn't end here.
"I really liked making the invention. I got to plan, no one told me what to do. It was fun," Davidson said.
"I would like to make more inventions."
* Alaina Craig, Columbus: Piggy Backpack Massager;
* Bela Csetjey, Columbus: Dog Locker;
* Connor Byrant, Delaware: Watering Can Cart;
* Sriram Raju, Dublin: Protect O Tot;
* Jacob Metzger, Groveport: Jacob's Walking Table;
* Elizabeth McCanna, Newark: Turtle Exercisor;
* Emily Williams, Powell: Dryalator;
* Ruth Burgenthal, Upper Arlington: Baby Won't Throw;
* Blake Skidmore, Upper Arlington: Made in the Shade Fishing;
* Emma Davidson, Upper Arlington: No-Scare Ware; and
* Brian Courts, Westerville: Belt Socks.
According to Barret, many of the students create their inventions for selfless reasons. This plays a significant role in the selection of finalists.
"My invention helps people that have a bad back or a disability," said Connor Byant, a second-grader at Schultz Elementary School.
"It helps them move around easier."
Bryant said he had to overcome several issues while making his invention, but that he enjoyed the building process.
"I had to draw out ideas. The first time, the wheels were behind a bit, so when it tilted the front hit the ground. I fixed it and moved the wheels forward," Bryant said.
"Building was really cool because I got to use so many tools that I haven't used before."
On day of the convention, each finalist was taken to WOSU studios to film their invention. Students were asked to display their invention, and explain the process of creating it.
"You get sort of nervous at first, but halfway through the filming, you calm down and don't feel so nervous," said Brian Courts, a fourth-grader at Longfellow Elementary School.
"I tried to not look at the camera, but it's hard not to."
The students inventions went on the Time Warner Local On-Demand channel on June 15. Instead of choosing a winner, however, Time Warner has left voting up to the viewers. Each view counts as a vote for the student, and the student with the most views at the end of August will be declared winner.
According to Barret, the Coolest Creations Contest is simply the culmination of a great overall experience.
"The kids get chosen from school, and get to compete with 344 kids," Barret said.
"Of that, we chose 11, which is an honor right there. And those 11 get to appear on TV. Some are just out of their minds excited. It's a very rich experience all the way through, and I feel like the Coolest Creations component is just the icing on the cake."
The true icing on the cake might be the $500 cash prize for the winner of the contest.
For Emma Davidson, a second-grader at Tremont Elementary School, however, the excitement of the process is far more important than the prize money.
"I don't care about the prize, I care about what's important. It's that you feel glad for yourself, you're not messing around. I really feel like I've done something good," Davidson said.
Courts described the experience as "exciting," and said he has plans to donate the prize if he wins.
"I'd put some to my school and some to the Humane Society," Courts said.
"I'd keep about $40, and give the rest to my parents. I care about animals and my school, I want to support them."
Voting for the contest continues until Aug. 31 on Time Warner channel 411. For Davidson, however, the thrill of inventing doesn't end here.
"I really liked making the invention. I got to plan, no one told me what to do. It was fun," Davidson said.
"I would like to make more inventions."
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| Hilliard's summer lunch program carts kids to feeding sites | Student journalists honored in 'The Martys' contest |
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